Leave Gabby Alone: Gabby Douglas’s Mom Responds to Critics

Gabby Douglas is everything you want in an athlete. She’s poised, smart, and a beast at her craft. She kicked ass in the 2012 Olympics, but this time around she’s not performing as well, and of course, the world is watching.

But the criticisms haven’t been so much about her performance at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. On the contrary, she’s getting slammed for things that don’t matter.

When she didn’t salute the flag. Folks accused her of being unpatriotic.

When she didn’t stand up for her teammates after their win, critics dubbed her, “Crabby Gabby.”

And let us not forget, Gabby’s “edges” have been the talk of twitter since 2012, and frankly, it’s gotten out of hand.

Yesterday, Gabby’s mom stood by her daughter and essentially told crtiics and the media to back off.

She’s had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin. They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn’t smiling enough, she’s unpatriotic. Then it went to not supporting your team mates. Now you’re ‘Crabby Gabby’,’ Hawkins told Reuters in an interview.

‘You name it and she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?

I don’t think respecting your country or your flag boils down to whether you put your hand over your heart or not.

It’s in your actions towards your country, how well are you abiding by its laws, how well are you helping your fellow citizens?

We grew up in the military community. My mum spent almost 30 years in the military, my dad’s a two-time Vietnam vet. Because of that it was so insulting that they would accuse my daughter of being unpatriotic when we are so tied to the military family.

When the Star Spangled Banner is played, most military members either salute or stand to attention.’

We’ve been brought to many tears because I don’t know what she’s done to warrant such an attack. To me it looks like she is being bullied. Read more: Source

Gabby told reporters:

When they talk about my hair or me not putting my hand up on my heart or me being very salty in the stands, they’re really criticizing me, and it doesn’t really feel good Douglas said, her eyes tearing up..It was a little bit hurtful. Source

Gabby is young, smart, and one of the most talented athletes in the world. It’s a shame that this has been her experience.

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They need to leave Gabby alone and go make something useful of their lives. If they were anything near successful they would know how to appreciate and uplift one when they see it. The most hurtful thing is, black people are her worse critics yet they say “embrace” your natural self. So double standard.

That’s the devil criticizing Ms. Gabby Douglas. When a person is shining bright as a star the devil (s) always utters IT’S UGLY comments. MS. GABBY DOUGLAS YOU KEEP SHINING AS A GOLDEN STAR FOR THE WORLD CAN SEE.

Gabbyy hold your head up and don’t pay them stupid people no mind because they the one who have nothing going for them self baby girl you rock from the very first time i saw you. Gymnastics i love you gabby don’t never let nobody still your joy no matter what just pray for them sinful people who said mean words to you i got your back

Gabby don’t worry u have many fans. It is the weak and sad who are riding u this hard. They don’t understand u as a person nor do they want too. U are doing something the can not or will not do, following ur dreams an d seeing the fruit of a lifetimeis dedication. Keep ur head up those who truly matter to u have ur back and ur very spirit is inspiration and encouragement fir the next generation. Graceful Gabby! Gabby the Great! Gabby Getting it Done!